What helps young people thrive—even in the face of adversity?

From early adolescence to young adulthood, many youth navigate serious challenges yet continue to pursue and persist in their education, flourish, and live well-adjusted lives. What drives this resilience, and who helps make it possible? 

At the FAM&I Lab (Flourishing, Achievement Motivation, and Identity Lab), we explore how key people in young people’s lives—like parents, teachers, and peers—shape their well-being. We study how these social supports protect youth from adversity and fuel their academic success, strong social identities, and mental health. Our primary goal is to uncover what it takes to help young people not just survive—but truly thrive—as they grow into adulthood.

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From basic research to community outreach, we seek to learn from the developmental assets that minoritized teens and young adults bring to their everyday interactions and to develop solutions to the barriers they face in society.